Moistener



Apr. 3, 1923. 3,450,811?

L. E. PORTER MOISTENER Filed Jan. 14', 1922 INVENTOR 11E j orfer ATTORNEY Patented Apr. .3, i923.

rattan LOUIS E. PORTER, 0F CONNELLSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

MOISTENER.

Application filed January 14, 1922.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Louis E. PORTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Connellsville, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Moisteners, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention has reference to an envelope moistener.

My bject is to produce an article of this character which can be readily secured on the back of the hand of the operator to permit of the free use of his hands and the ready passage of the capilliform element of the improvement over the glued surface of an envelope.

It is a further object to produce an en velope moistener comprising a hollow water receptacle whose under face is shaped to conform to the outer contour of a human hand on which the device is clasped, means being provided upon the said face of the body to engage between the fingers of the operator to hold the body against lateral movement, and said body having its outer face convex and provided with a capilliform element which projects both inwardly and outwardly therefrom whereby the outer face of the said element may be wiped over the gummed surface of an envelope in an accurate and expeditious manner without inconvenience to the operator.

The foregoing, and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and operative association of parts, such as is disclosed by the drawings which accompany and which form part of this specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view illustrating the application of the improvement.

Figure 3 is a substantially central vertical longitudinal sectional view through the improvement.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figured is a sectional view through a modification.

As disclosed in Figure 1 of the drawings my improvement is designed to be arranged on the back of the hand of the operator, directly over his fingers, but is in a position which will not interfere with the free movement of the fingers.

The improvement is comparatively small,

responding to that of the slot.

Serial No. 529,249.

light in weight, and is of a form, as will presently be apparent, to snugly accommodate itself to the hand of the operator.

The improvement includes a body in the nature of a water receptacle 1. This body has its under face concaved, as at 2, and its outer face convex, as at 3. The concaved under face 2 of the body is provided with a depending rib 4 which is designed to be received between the fingers of the operator and thereby hold the device against lateral movement when positioned. The sides of the body are preferably rounded and are proided with comparatively small U-shaped members or bails 5 to which are connected the ends of an elastic band 6. If desired, the band may comprise two sections, one of which having a buckle and the other having apertures to receive the ton ue of the buckle. In any event, the band is arranged around the hand of the operator for clamping the body 1 thereon.

The body 1, as previously stated, is desigi'ied to contain water, and the same on its outer convex face is preferably centrally formed with a threaded opening 6 in which is screwed a sleeve 7 that has passed therethrough a wick or other capillary agent 8. The wick may be readily adjusted with re spect to the sleeve, and it will be apparent that by simply turning over his hand, the operator may cause the wick to be passed over the glued surface of an envelope to-be moistened.

In Figure 4 of the drawings, the body 9 is similar to that previously described, being provided with the attaching strap or band. The convex or arched top of the body is, however, in this instance provided with a laterally extending slot through which is passed a wick or capillary agent of a length cor- The body 9 is also provided with a normally closed filler opening, indicated by the dotted lines in the said figure, and indicated by the nunieral 11.

It is thought that the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawings will fully set forth the construction, operation and advantages of the improvement, and that further detailed description will not be required. It is thought necessary to state, however, that I am not to be restricted, in the manufacturing and marketing of my improvement to the precise details of construction herein set forth, but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall Within the scope of What I claim.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. An envelope moistener designed to be clamped on the back of the hand of an operator, comprising a Water containing body WllOSGHIlClBI' face is concaved and Whose outer face is convex, a rib on the under face of the body designed to be received between the fingers of the operator, and a capillary agent in the body and projecting through the outer face thereof. b

2. In an envelope moistener Which is designed to be clamped on the back of the hand of an operator, a hollow water containing body Whose under face is concaved and whose outer face is convex, said body having its under face provided With a rib designedto b received between the fingers of the operator, bails on the ends of the body, astrap secured to the bails and arranged around the hand of the operator, and a capillary agent received'in the body and projecting through the outer convex face thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LOUIS E. PORTER. 

